National park · Thailand
Mu Ko Surin National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์
Visit Mu Ko Surin early in the open season: take a day trip for snorkeling before 12:00, or a live‑aboard dive from Khao Lak in December–February; avoid the rainy closure May–Oct.Visit Mu Ko Surin early in the open season: take a day trip for snorkeling before 12:00 PM, or a live‑aboard dive from Khao Lak in December–February; avoid the rainy closure May–Oct.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²)
- Park covers about 135 km² total, of which roughly 102 km² (76 %) is marine area (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Mu Ko Surin National Park protects a cluster of five islands and surrounding reefs in the Andaman Sea, offering snorkelling, diving and limited beach camping, with access via speedboat from the Phang Nga mainland.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²) · national park since 1981
Park covers about 135 km² total, of which roughly 102 km² (76 %) is marine area (check).
Why go
- Snorkelling on picture‑postcard beaches with abundant marine life.
- Scuba diving in protected reefs, with liveaboard options.
- Observe nesting green and hawksbill turtles on remote beaches.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, clear seas, good visibility.
- FebDry, warm, peak diving conditions.
- MarDry, still good for snorkeling.
- AprEnd of open season, occasional showers.
- MayPark closes 15 May; early May still possible.
- JunClosed for rainy season.
- JulClosed for rainy season.
- AugClosed for rainy season.
- SepClosed for rainy season.
- OctClosed for rainy season.
- NovOpening 16 Nov, good early season.
- DecOpening period, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green and hawksbill turtles (nesting)Nov–Apr · Nesting peaks Dec–Feb. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Olive Ridley turtles (rare)Mar–Apr · Occasional sightings. | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Khao Lak
Speedboat from Khao Lak pier (10‑min transfer from town centre).
2–3 h
From Khuraburi
Ferry from Khuraburi pier; free land transfer from town centre.
2–3 h
From Ko Phra Thong
Boat from Ko Phra Thong pier.
≈2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ko Surin Nua | Main island with two campsites, bungalows and snorkeling sites. | Open with park ticket; campsites need reservation. |
| Ko Surin Tai | Less visited island, good dive spots. | Guided dive trips only. |
| Marine zone | Protected reefs; some areas closed for conservation. | Snorkel/diving only where permitted. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central island locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | Free | person | Check latest fee at Ngan Yong office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites on Ko Surin Nua; no wild camping.
- Diving zones
- Certain reef areas are closed for conservation; follow operator guidance.
Where to stay
In the park
Campsites on Ko Surin Nua
Basic tents; need reservation via park office.
Near the park
Khao Lak town
Hotels, hostels and bungalows; 2‑hour boat ride to islands.
Safety
Strong currents medium
Marine wildlife (jellyfish) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat transfers are wheelchair‑accessible on some operators; island terrain is uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid touching corals.
- Support local operators that follow park conservation rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mu Ko Surin National Park?
Entry fees vary; check the Ngan Yong office or your boat operator for the current THB rate.
What are the best hikes in Mu Ko Surin National Park?
The islands are primarily for beach and marine activities; walking trails are short and lead to viewpoints on Ko Surin Nua.
When is the best time to visit Mu Ko Surin National Park?
Visit between mid‑November and mid‑May; December to February offers the clearest seas and best diving.
Can I camp on the islands?
Only in the two designated campsites on Ko Surin Nua; wild camping is prohibited.
Are there any diving restrictions?
Yes, some reef areas are closed for conservation; follow your dive operator’s guidance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mu Ko Surin National Park
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